Chapter 1
'Please don't let it be me' This is the only thing that is going through my head as Effie Trinket puts her hand into the glass ball with the girl's names. She digs her hand in deep and says the name ever so clearly. And it is not me.
It's Primrose Everdeen. My body is working before my head and with out even thinking, I shove my way to Prim, screaming her name.
"I volunteer!" I gasp. There is some murmur and talk. District Twelve never had a volunteer before.
I can hear Prim screaming hysterically behind me. "No, Katniss! You can't go!"
Gale lifts Prim and takes her to my mother. "Wow! Interesting turn of events! Now, I bet my buttons you are her sister!" Effie says. "Let's give Katniss a round of applause"
No one claps but gives the sign of respect. Every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it up to me.
"Look at her. Look at this one!" Haymitch hollers, throwning an arm around my shoulder. "I like her! Lots of...spunk! More than you!" he shouts, pointing at the camera
"Now for our male tribute. And he is...Gale Hawthorne."
I stand there shocked. This can't be real. This is just a dream I will wake up. But I know it isn't. Who would feed Prim. I see Gale amoung the crowd and I know he is thinking the same thing as me but he doesn't show it. He walks to the front without hesitation or fear but I know he is breaking down inside.
"So here are your district 12 tibutes." Say Effire happily. The national anthem plays and I can see my mother and Prim in the crowd and they are crying.